SUMMIT — Turnovers, unfinished long drives and unwarrantedpenalties have caused many a team to lose close ballgames on Fridaynight.

For three quarters at North Pike’s Jaguar Field, the BogueChitto Bobcats had North Pike pinned against the fences. But in thefinal frame, a pair of costly turnovers hurt the Bobcats who fellto the Jaguars 34-12 in the season opener for both teams.

Class 1A Bogue Chitto hosts Madison St. Joe Friday for a 7 p.m.kickoff at Troy Smith Field, while archrival Class 3A North Piketravels to Raymond.

The Bobcats (0-1) took a 6-0 lead with their initial possession,following a stalled North Pike drive. A 9-play, 70-yard driveculminated when sophomore running back Donyea Dillon scored from 3yards out. Erik Allen’s PAT kicked failed. Keys to the marchdownfield were Dantae Ratcliff completing a 16-yard pass on BogueChitto first play of the game to tight end Keyounna Perkins. Also,running back Cory Washington totaled 28 rushing yards on 3 carriesin the drive.

North Pike (1-0) responded on the ensuing kickoff with a 49-yardmarch to paydirt. Wingback Milton Butler found the end zone on a30-yard burst. Stephen Alexander’s PAT kick was successful and headcoach Adam Barron’s squad held a slim 7-6 lead.

Bogue Chitto regrouped on its next possession to reclaim thelead at 12-7. A 2-play, 57-yard drive, climaxed when Washingtonscored on a 15-yard run. The 2-point conversion failed.

On first-and-10 from the Bobcat 43, Washington broke through theNorth Pike line for a 28-yard gain down to the Jaguar 30. Penaltyflags filled the air at the end of the run, as a scuffle ensuedbetween North Pike defensive lineman Richard Williams and Ratliffback at the Bobcat 30. The officials separated the two and Williamswas ejected for throwing punches.

After offsetting unsportsmanlike conduct penalties were assessedto both players, a 15-yard personal foul on Williams was tacked onto the end of Washington’s run; putting the football first-and-10at the Jag 15.

Barron’s team carried a 13-12 lead into the halftime lockerroom,when senior quarterback Robert Brown fell across the goal line from1-yard out with 9:56 left in the half. The conversion kickfailed.

After a scoreless third, the Jags scored 21 points in a span of6 minutes, 30 seconds in the final 12 minute quarter to ice thewin. Fullback Claude Brumfield scored on a 3-yard blast with 6:39left in the game. Kyle Moak returned an interception 40 yards topaydirt at the 5:20 mark. Brown capped off the scoring with a1-yard plunge with 32 ticks left on the clock.

“We played well offensively and defensively tonight,” saidBarron. “Our coaching staff and players put together a good gameplan tonight. Bogue Chitto’s turnovers were the key to thegame.”

The Bobcats had 3 turnovers on the night, throwing 2interceptions and losing a fumble.

“We have to left how to finish drives,” said Sartin followingthe game. “The turnovers (3) hurt us too.

“Take those mistakes, and we win the game.”

Sartin, whose team marched inside the North Pike 20 on 3separate occasions only to come away empty.

Ratliff led all rushers in the game with 112 yards on 14 carriesand was 3 of 9 in the air for 43 yards. Washington followed with 97yards on 10 rushes. Perkins caught 2 passes for 34 yards, whileSnow hauled in 1 catch for 9 yards.

Brumfield led North Pike with 102 yards on 15 carries.

Brown threw for 109 yards in 4 completions. Receiver Eric Loftoncaught 3 balls for 83 yards.

Defensively, Washington led the way with 8 stops (4solo). Ty McKee, Seth Avants and Ratcliff each were in on 4tackles. Avants had an interception. Steven Snow recovered afumble. Ratcliff had a key pass break-up.

“Defensively, we got better as the game went on,” saidSartin.